How do you play Alexander and Ashbee in the same line up?

How do you play Alexander and Ashbee in the same line up?

jumping mouse

jumping mouse

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Jul 5, 2004
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PB talking about Ashbee coming back to full fitness.

We're not going to drop Alexander are we?

A defensive and slow midfield if they both play?

Just can't see how Ashbee will get a game - that's all.

Anyone else?
 
Answer - you don't.

Any midfield with both will struggle against any sort of pace or movement. It'll have to be one or the other, and given their ages you'd expect them to share the load this season. Grezza's in possession for now though, and we look much better for it.
 
just a suggestion..... Ashbee becomes fit, plays in holding role, Grezza to RB and switch McLean into centre beside Carlisle.

Would be harsh on Devine and also McLoughlin, and I'm not saying I'm all for it, but just a possibility.
 
It might work in a 4-5-1 with 1 sat back (Alexander), then Ashbee in middle of park with Coutts, with Coutts going more forward role.
 
You don't , he will have to start with one and sub for the other. Personally i don't think we can drop Alexander, but it's a bit of an awkward situation with Ashbee being captain.
 
Retfordpete said:
Answer - you don't.

Any midfield with both will struggle against any sort of pace or movement. It'll have to be one or the other, and given their ages you'd expect them to share the load this season. Grezza's in possession for now though, and we look much better for it.
Click to expand...

+1... I'd guess that Grezza & Ashbee will share the same role for the season. I'm guessing that Grezza will play the majority of games. I've got a feeling that Asbee is going to be an expensive losing gamble. I wouldnt play Grezza at right back. He was struggling in that position when he left 3 years ago & we are more than adequately provisioned in that position. i.e. McLaughlin, Gray & McLean
 
or 4-1-3-2


----------------gk------------------
-rb-----------cb----cb------------lb
---------------Alexander-------------
----coutts-----Ashbee---------Parry---
---------Hume----------st-----------
 
more likley play half the season each can't see them putting more than 25+ games each in this season.

although I didn't expect Grezza to play 50 games three seasons ago.
 
With Ashbee in the holding role Alexander could play:
*in front of him either as the central or right-sided player in a line of three slightly futher forward.
*as the right side of a 'diamond' formation.
*as one of the other central midfielders or as a right-sided 'wing-half' in a flatter conventional four-man midfield.
*they could also both be members of a five-man midfield.
So there are plenty of ways it could be done and though none of them are desirable as starting line-up options they could be useful if we are defending a lead with 15 minutes to go and need to hold on. Alexander must never again play at right-back - he had become a liability in that position two even three seasons before he left us. In a dire emergency - say none of McLaughlin, McLean or Gray available - we would still have young Leather or even Bailey-Wright.
 
As many of said. You don't. On the basis of what i've seen this season (and Burnley last) I'd go with Alexander - Alexander has the leadership qualities, tackling ability and influence of Ashbee but he can pass a ball.

I'd feel comfortable with them both in the championship tbh and despite their age (and lack of re-sale value) are great assets. Both would get in every other team in this division IMO.
 
If Alexander's fit and playing well - for me he has to start every game.

Ashbee wil just have to sit out and wait is turn and when it comes which it will he'll have to grab it both feet and put a shift in putting Brown Phil in a postion were he can't leave him out.
 
-----------Turner----------
-----Carlisle---Devine-----
Conor--Alexander--Asbee--Smith
-------------------------------
Proctor-----Coutts-----Hume
------------Mellor-----------

Giving Conor Mc and Smith a free role to go forward
 
IrishNorthEnder said:
-----------Turner----------
-----Carlisle---Devine-----
Conor--Alexander--Asbee--Smith
-------------------------------
Proctor-----Coutts-----Hume
------------Mellor-----------

Giving Conor Mc and Smith a free role to go forward
Click to expand...

Interesting line up. Found this online concerning two defensive midfielders...

I have been hearing call from all angles about how defensive a team is when using two holding midfielders but i beg to differ. the current barca team use Sergi Busquets and Mascherano or Keita at the base of the midfield but you hardly see defensive football, Madrid employ Alonso and Khedira as the deep lying midfielders and still demonstrate flair, the all conquering Spain side deploy Busquets and Alonso at the midfield base and produce top class football outing after outing! even the young German side impressed many at the world cup while using two deep lying midfielders in the form of Khedira and Bastian.
 
Don't play them both. Barca? Busquets does Grezza job, Nico is Iniesta and Coutts is Xavi. Simples...Plus Ashbee is shit.
 
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